When you hear the name Tanba, one of the first things that comes to mind is "Tanba fog."

I can still vividly remember the fantastical mountain scenery I encountered when I visited Tanba alone more than thirty years ago.

Because Tanba is located in a basin, there is a large difference in temperature between day and night, which is said to be why fog is likely to form.

Those climatic conditions are not unrelated to the growth of delicious agricultural products. That's why rice, matsutake mushrooms, black beans, chestnuts, yams (round yams), and botan nabe (wild boar stew) from Tanba are so tasty.

This is true for humans as well. I believe that the reason there are so many simple and honest people is because they are blessed with such abundant nature.

Tamba ware is one of Japan's representative ancient kilns, originating in the late Heian period.

Since then, they have continued to produce pottery without interruption for a long period of 800 years.

In the Middle Ages, unglazed stoneware with a bright green natural glaze was produced, while in the early modern period, pottery was made using a variety of decorative techniques and glazes.

Tamba ware can be broadly divided into two categories: those unique to Tamba and those influenced by Tokoname, Shigaraki, Iga, and Bizen ware.

Located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago, Tamba ware, while influenced by Kyoto and other regions, has maintained its own unique character and evolved with the times.

This approach to pottery making in Tamba ware is still passed down to the artists today.

The photo above shows the chimney section at the top of a semi-underground climbing kiln in Tanba, which is called a "honeycomb" because of its shape.

The beauty of the bright red flames emanating from that "beehive" is a sight unique to Tanba kilns.

Masahiko Ichino is challenging himself to create works that fuse his own artistic style with the traditions of Tanba.

Shinsui Ichino is a leading expert in tea ceremony ceramics in the Tamba ware style.

Iyo Oogami is gaining attention for her cute dolls inspired by Japanese lucky charms and yokai (supernatural beings).

Masahiko Imanishi dedicates himself to pottery making, believing in what resonates with his own soul.

Katsumi Kako bases her creative work on the forms and patterns of ancient pottery, and further develops and expresses them in her art.

Masafumi Oonishi is currently working on pieces that fully showcase the texture of the clay and the movement and color of the glaze.

Takeshi Shimizu is exploring the possibilities of what can be expressed using the clay of Tanba.

Mr. Ichiji Shimizu , while rooted in the traditions of Tanba, is constantly pursuing innovative challenges.

Peter Hamann has 30 years of experience in the tea ceremony and makes tea bowls and tea caddies out of earthenware, but his specialty is porcelain (sculptural celadon).

Nobuhito Nakaoka studied ash glaze in Kyoto and combined it with Tamba clay to create his unique glaze texture.

Take this opportunity to enjoy the diverse and unique aspects of Tanba today.